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Marion K. Gross, Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD), recently sold 1,099.38 shares of the company’s common stock. The transaction, dated February 21, 2025, was executed at a weighted average price of $304.60 per share, amounting to a total value of approximately $334,871. The sale comes as McDonald’s, with its $218.5 billion market capitalization, trades near its 52-week high of $317.90, showing relatively low price volatility according to InvestingPro analysis.
Following this sale, Gross holds 1,560.39 shares directly. Additionally, Gross has indirect ownership interests, including 2,236.06 shares held by a trust and 12,074.81 shares owned jointly, which include shares acquired through dividend reinvestment. The filing also notes Gross’s involvement with phantom stock, representing a right to receive the cash value equivalent to McDonald’s common stock, totaling 9,655.54 shares under a non-qualified benefit plan. With McDonald’s maintaining dividend payments for 50 consecutive years and currently offering a 2.32% yield, InvestingPro subscribers can access 10+ additional exclusive insights about the company’s financial health and market position through comprehensive Pro Research Reports.
In other recent news, McDonald’s Corporation has revised its executive compensation plan, aligning incentives with key performance metrics such as operating income and Systemwide sales. The 2025 Target (NYSE:TGT) Incentive Plan (TIP) includes components based on new restaurant openings and a strategic scorecard, reflecting the company’s growth strategy and operational goals. In terms of analyst activity, BofA Securities increased its price target for McDonald’s to $316, maintaining a Neutral rating and noting expected improvements in same-store sales as the company addresses macroeconomic challenges. TD Cowen also raised its target to $305, keeping a Hold rating, and highlighted McDonald’s strategy to gain market share with new product launches. Loop Capital Markets adjusted its price target to $346, maintaining a Buy rating, despite McDonald’s fourth-quarter earnings per share falling short of projections.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) increased its price target to $340, retaining an Overweight rating, pointing out that McDonald’s is well-positioned to navigate industry headwinds. The firm noted that while earnings and revenue were lower than expected, international sales were strong, and the company’s value offerings have increased customer traffic. Analysts across these firms have expressed varying levels of optimism about McDonald’s ability to manage current challenges and maintain growth. The recent developments indicate a strategic focus on aligning executive incentives with performance and adapting to market conditions through value offerings and new product introductions.
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